Han River triathlon draws 893,000 as Seoul pushes inclusive sports model

Participants in the “Relaxed Han River Triathlon Festival” / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

By Lee Kyung-min

• Published Jun 16, 2026 1:37 PM KST

A sprawling summer festival along the Han River has drawn nearly 900,000 visitors, transforming Seoul’s waterfront into what city officials are calling a new model for inclusive public sports.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Tuesday that the third edition of the “Relaxed Han River 3-Event Festival,” held June 5 to June 7, attracted 893,272 visitors across Ttukseom and Jamsil Hangang Parks.

The event blended swimming, cycling and running with large-scale cultural programming, positioning itself as one of Seoul’s signature summer gatherings.

City officials said 25,000 participants completed the triathlon-style course, which emphasized finishing over competition and was designed for a range of fitness levels from beginner to advanced.

The festival expanded this year to include foreigner-only swimming events, a children’s triathlon segment called “Iron Rookie,” and a disability swimming competition, reflecting what organizers described as a broader commitment to accessibility.

A foreign participant in the swimming event said the experience was more difficult than expected but “extremely enjoyable,” and said they decided to join after hearing it was the first time such an event had been held in Korea.

A disability swimming participant said the event became “a meaningful memory that will not be forgotten,” adding that completing a 1-kilometer course along the Han River with support and encouragement was deeply moving.

City data showed attendance surged across the three days, with 200,047 visitors on June 5, 442,115 on June 6 and 251,110 on June 7.

Beyond the races, more than 683,000 people took part in side events such as Han River ramen tastings, fitness challenges and cultural zones including “Haechi Island” and “Haechimeok,” creating what officials described as a festival that blended sport, leisure and tourism.

A Seoul survey found 84 percent of respondents said they would participate again, signaling strong public satisfaction and repeat demand.

A participant experience contest will run through Monday, with organizers collecting written and video submissions celebrating festival memories.

This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.